Descriptions for College of Arts and Sciences Courses

Department Core Courses

1. Department of Information Science

IT203 eCommerce

Internet technology has given rise to new opportunities that can be exploited to create value for business. Among these opportunities is selling products and services over the Internet, namely eCommerce. Millions of online purchase transactions are conducted every day, leading to the Internet being the major sales channel. This course is designed not only to develop awareness of the evolution of the Internet and opportunities for business, but also to offer students the opportunity to develop eCommerce websites, i.e. online shops. In this process, the course will create the necessary context for students to: (1) design and build eCommerce websites for a local business; and (2) critically evaluate eCommerce websites. Students studying this course will gain understanding of a set of significant relevant topics, such as “Usability,” “System Integration,” “Online Credibility,” and “Digital Marketing,” to help them develop better eCommerce websites.

This course is designed for students who wish to operate effectively in the eCommerce environment, manage the transformation of existing online business-to-business operations, or start up a new business of selling products and services online.

IT405 Research Methods

Research methods is a three credit hour course and is designed for students who need to learn how to conduct empirical research. While the course is designed for students who are interested in investigating various aspects of Information Technology, it is useful for those from other disciplines such as Business Management. The course aims to help students developing research questions and justifying the significance of the research questions based on gaps in the literature and estimated theoretical as well as practical implications.

This course includes both classroom and hands-on tutorial sessions in order to provide students with the opportunity to learn and apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, and data analysis using particular software programs.

Students of this course are required to work on individual research projects that can be either provided or approved by the instructor. The research projects are assessed based on written papers as well as presentations.

IT304 Human-Computer Interaction

Human-computer interaction is an interdisciplinary field that integrates theories and methodologies from computer science, cognitive psychology, design and many other areas. The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Human-Computer Interaction and how it relates to people’s everyday use of technology. This course helps students to understand what makes a good and bad design and what factors influence user interaction with interactive systems. It covers the various phases of interactive system design, from identifying needs and requirements, designing and prototyping, and finally to evaluating design through the use of tools and collecting feedback from users.

This course is designed to equip students with practical skills such as choosing and applying the appropriate data collection method, communicating concepts through design and evaluating design based on the analysis of users’ feedback.

Students of this course are required to work on individual projects, which involves designing and evaluating interactive products, e.g. mobile applications, and to communicate their work in written reports as well as through presentations.

IT205 Database Systems I

In the Database Systems I course, students will learn what a database is, what it does, and why it yields better results than other data management methods. Therefore, it introduces the concepts of file-based systems vs database management system (DBMS). From these concepts, students will learn the difference between data and information, what a database is, the various types of databases, and why they are valuable assets for decision making as well as how modern databases evolved from file systems. Also, the main functions of a DBMS are described. Then, it provides students with the knowledge on database architecture, models, and processes necessary for using, designing, and implementing database systems and applications. Students will have hands on sessions to use DBMS and write SQL commands. Database applications will be developed based on case studies. Transaction management topics and other issues related to database management system are also discussed. Finally, students will learn about the main properties of database transactions (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability and serializability for concurrent transactions).

IT306 Web Application Development II (Prerequisite for this course is IT301)

This course will give students the basic background, terminology and fundamental concepts that they need to understand in order to build modern full stack web applications. It starts by introducing all of the core technologies and then covers the installations of these technologies on web development servers. Then, the course provides an overview of the modern Web technologies used for the web development at server-side. So that, students will be ready to work through the development of websites. The purpose of this course is to give students the understanding of how things work in the Web world from the technology point of view as well as to give overview of the different technologies. The topics of this course include: PHP programming language, which includes the basics of syntax, arrays, functions, and object-oriented programming, MySQL database system, JavaScript, jQuery and Ajax. Students will follow the guidance of the reference book and www.w3schools.com to do their tutorials in the Lab.

IT303 Database Systems II (Prerequisite for this course is IT205)

This course introduces the extended entity relationship (EER) model that has been taken previously in the Database Systems I course. Therefore, the EER model builds on ER concepts and adds support for entity supertypes, subtypes, and entity clustering. Also, the Database Life Cycle (DBLC) is carefully traced in this course, and is shown in the context of the larger Systems Development Life Cycle. Students will be introduced to some classical approaches to database design: top-down versus bottom-up and centralized versus decentralized. Students will also learn what it takes to create a more efficient query environment. Furthermore, this course introduces various architectures used to connect applications to databases. This means that it examines the fundamentals of web database technologies used to open databases to the Internet. Indeed, this course explores important data management issues by looking at the managerial and technical roles of the database administrator (DBA) as well as explores database security issues, such as the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

IT301 Web Application Development I

This course provides an overview of the modern Web technologies used for Web development. The purpose of this course is to give students the basic understanding of how things work in the Web world from the technology point of view as well as to give the basic overview of the different technologies. In this course students will learn the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), which covers creating a basic web page, understanding the most critical HTML tags, setting up systems to work with HTML and viewing web pages. Students will also learn Extensible HTML (XHTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). CSS covers style elements, adding styles to HTML tags, modifying web pages dynamically and specifying foreground and background colors. Furthermore, students will learn adding JavaScript code to web pages and setting up the environment for this code. Finally, students will follow the guidance of the www.w3schools.com to do their tutorials in the Lab.

IT309 Mobile Technologies

This course describes Mobile Technology networks by giving an overview of the very early stages of deploying mobile network to the start-of-the-art research in this area. This course will start by giving some important standards and task forces that are used to refer to different types of wireless and mobile networks such as IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.15 etc. Important terminologies and phenomena in the area of mobile networks will be given and will be explained in details. Then the evolution of mobile networks will be explained in details starting from the first generation mobile networks through the 2G, 3G, 4G, and ending with 5G which hasn’t been deployed yet, up to the time of writing those lines.

Information regards TDM, FDM, TDM+FDM, CDMA will be explained. Other needed information on signals such as SNR, signal representation etc. will be explained so that the students can better understand the used terms and concepts of work. 3G mobile networks which most of us currently use, in addition to its counterpart in some operators in US CDMA, will be fully described. Afterwards, recent mobile technologies such as 4G and 5G will be explained.

IT305 Computer Ethics

The Computer Ethics course provides students with the opportunity to reflect on significant ethical issues, such as intellectual property, privacy and security, faced by computing professionals. This course demonstrates the challenges towards these ethical issues brought by the developments of artificial intelligence, increasing popularity of video games as well as the increasing use of technology in the health sector. It provides students with sufficient knowledge to make ethical choices and to take values, such as trust, into account when designing or evaluating systems.

This course exposes students to various case studies that are relevant to users’ everyday lives. These cases relate to parties from the private as well as public sector. By doing so, students become able to apply knowledge that enables them to identify the consequences of design decisions, especially those decisions that relate to dealing with users’ data.

The assessment includes 10 short reports on topics chosen by the instructor and a final exam.

IT202 Introduction to Programming

This course takes the student, step by step, through the concept of computer programming by using C# programming language. The course provides students with firm foundation in the computer programming that is needed to become a programmer using C# programming language. In this course, students are introduced to basic concepts of computer programming and students are given an overview of the C# programming language. Students will be equipped to use and keep up with the new technologies in the computer programming during their professional lives.

The main course objective is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for computer programming using C# language. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: (1) understand fundamental concepts of computer graphics. (2) Gain Knowledge about model and structure of the C# programming language. (3) Recognize, diagram, and implement introductory programming for data types, variables, input and output, and expressions using C# programming language. (4) Determine logical alternatives with C# decision structures utilizing iteration and function in C#. (5) Use classes, class fields, class methods, and class properties as introduction for OOP. (6) Develop C# programs for arrays and structures. (7) And finally, evaluate and analyze software functionality that is required for the C# programming language.

IT208 Object Oriented Programming (Prerequisite for this course is IT202)

This course takes students, step by step, through the principles and practices of object-oriented programming (OOP). The course provides students with a firm foundation of the concepts of OOP that they need in order to become good programmers using the OOP.

In this course, students will be introduced to basic concepts of OOP, such as, abstraction, encapsulation, polymorphism, and inheritance. Also, students will be provided with specific knowledge and skills of C# programming language. Students are expected to use these knowledge and skills during their undergraduate studies in their respective disciplines. Students will be equipped to use and keep up with the new technologies in their professional lives.

The topics, in this course, include: first, an introduction to MS Visual Studio software and how to use this software to design and write codes using Windows Forms application. Second, the topics of C# programming language essentials, such as data types, control structures, methods and event handlers, handle exceptions and validate data, arrays and collections, more skills for working with Windows forms and controls, debug an application.

Third, the OOP, which is the important part that includes how to create and use classes, objects, indexers, delegates, events, operators, polymorphism, inheritance, interfaces and generics, as well as organize and document classes.

This course has two main parts, one for multimedia technology and another for computer graphics. The course takes students, step by step, through the concepts of both multimedia and graphics parts.

The multimedia part provides students with a firm foundation in the computer multimedia technologies that are required for students to know in their future works with computers. In this part, students are introduced to multimedia basics, components, and some software tools. Then, different types of image data (graphics) representation in the computer is covered. Also, color maps and lookup tables are explained in details. The fundamental concepts in videos as well as the compression of images and videos are covered in this part.

The graphics part includes several related topics. First, an introduction to computer graphics, such as its application fields, and graphics software. Second, it includes the output primitives of 2D computer graphics, such as points, lines, and curves drawing algorithms. Third, it involves the transformation of two-dimensional (2D) images. Fourth, the three-dimensional (3D) objects representation, such as polygon surfaces, curved and lines surfaces, quadric, and spline representation. Finally, the basic 3D transformation, such as translation, rotation, and scaling.

IT307 Cyber Security (Prerequisite for this course is IT302)

The advancement of technology and the Internet have provided individuals, organizations, governments and business with array of opportunities and benefits, in that they are heavily relying on the Internet Services. The society is increasingly becoming dependent on cyberspace, in such it is becoming an integral part of everyday life of most people in both personal and professional contexts. Cyberspace has created a platform for cyber-attacks such as computer hacking, identity theft, privacy breaches, etc. The impact of cyber-attacks on people, organizations, and businesses could vary from financial loss to privacy and psychological effects. Addressing cyber-attacks and breaches are vital, yet it is challenging.

This course introduces students to an interdisciplinary field of cyber security including theory and practice of cyber security. The course covers: computer security concept, security attacks, security mechanism and security services; Symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques including (DES, AES, and RSA); Web security including (SSL. TLS. HTTPs. SSH); wireless network security, electronic mail security; Computer software security, and security policies. The course utilizes practical lab sessions including virtual labs, which allow students to examine different devices and mechanisms including firewalls and to explore how such mechanisms and devices may be used to protect systems and data.

IT204 Information System Analysis & Design (Prerequisite for this course is IT201)

This course provides students with the skill and knowledge to study issues on analyzing a scenario, basics of designing a system, basics of managing a project, methods of documentation and presentation of findings on a project. By the end of the course, students will have sufficient confidence on providing evidences on showing their learned knowledge through three different approaches – coursework, presentation and a written examination.

The Information System Analysis and Design course covers the basics and principles of system analysis prior to midterm exam. Students will learn about its concepts and the environment in which analysis should take place. Concepts and methods of data modelling – using UML – along with the use of software in general is taught. Every software development process requires a comprehensive knowledge about its phases and it calls for proper project management which students are taught. These subjects are continuation of their learning followed up from the first semester. Students will learn about real world software development problems and ways to manage them.

IT201 Principles of Information Systems

Information systems nowadays are used in almost every profession. For businesses to succeed in this technological era and competitive environments, managers and employees/staffs in all aspects of businesses- marking, accounting, analysis of sales trends operational management, human resources, financial operations – must perform well, effectively and efficiently. Information technology provides the tools and techniques which enable businesses and other organizations to analyze and make an informed decision to solve a complex problem(s) and to capitalize on opportunities that contribute to the success of businesses and organizations.

This course provides fundamentals of having information systems in an organization and how information technology in general empowers organizations to compete in today’s ever changing world. This course introduces students to: information and system concepts; information system in organizations; concept of information technology including computer hardware (input, processing, output devices), parallel and grid commuting, software systems and applications software, telecommunications and networking, the Internet, Intranet, extranets; Business information system including electronic, mobile commerce, and enterprise systems and the personal and social impact of computer.

2. Department of Interior Design:

DES205 Studio (Prerequisite for this course is IND001)

This first year 4 credit Design is an interior design major studio course that deals with learning the fundamentals of design, and introduces their incorporation in supporting the challenges of designing interiors and architecture. It satisfies the 4 credit hours of specialization requirement for programs as outlined in the AUK Undergraduate Catalog. The Studio circulates the fundamental elements and principles of design, offering students the initiative methodology to designing while also learning design vocabulary to discuss interiors and architecture. Using well-articulated definitions and clear, highly-visual examples, this course will expand students’ appreciation of design and help them get started creating their own spaces. Elements including: line, value, color, texture, shape, size and direction are analyzed in both theatrical and practical facets. Principles including, unity, conflict, dominance, repetition, harmony, balance, gradation are applied within the live project to apply theories into design solutions. Students are also introduced to the visual elements such as points and line; shape and mass; texture; light; color; and space. They are expected to apply concepts learned from the research and course lectures to create 2D and 3D compositions.

IND200 Studio I (Prerequisites for this course are DES205 and IND002)

Space and its definition is the general theme of this studio class, playing with the idea of an interior space is the common thread among all the classes.

During this experimental course, students will be given a chance to express and improve their design skills by looking at a space from different perspectives – from fashion to photography, from psychology to religion, students will explore the many ways you can interpret and design a given space.

Every class will have a different theme, case studies will be presented to the students in order to open a discussion about: How did they use the space? What was the purpose? What are the tools used? What is their feeling about it? Is there anything they would change or improve?

This course aims to expand the student’s perspective in analyzing and designing a space with fresh new eyes and with a deeper understanding of the fundamental relationship between humans and surrounding spaces.

IND206 Studio II (Prerequisite for this course is IND200)

Studio II interior design and residential design course, focuses on the problem-solving discipline of the design process and its application. The course teaches students the fundamental stages for Planning and designing sustainable living interiors for people, shaping the space to conform to its function in the best possible way. Students develop concepts to achieve design goals and apply theoretical knowledge, aesthetics and technical skills to their design solutions as they work on a variety of professionally relevant projects. Within the Studio culture, the course brushes on the industry-standard reference for all aspects of residential space planning, with a practical focus on Green building codes, accessible design, ergonomics, and how building systems affect each space. From human factors and daily usage studied throughout this course, students design two completely different scale residential dwellings.

IND416 Studio IV (Prerequisites for this course are IND312 and IND314)

This third year 4 credit interior design is a major studio course that deals with complex multi-use design challenges. It satisfies the 4 credit hours of specialization requirement. The course focuses on the problem-solving discipline of the design process and its application. It teaches the fundamental stages for complex space planning and designing sustainable specialized multi-use, multi-story commercial interiors, shaping the space to conform to its function in the best possible way. Students develop syntheses of disciplined thinking concepts from site and project analysis, special needs and ADA building codes to achieve their design goals. Emphasis is also engaged on spatial solutions that support the needs of the client and which recognize the qualities of the building and its situation. In this case a study of live projects of more than 50-bed medical clinic and rehabilitation hospital interior design situated on mount Zawa overlooking and influencing the Duhok scene. Three sketch projects are required in addition to one final large mixed-use, multi-story project. Students are required to keep a printing and modelling budget.

This fourth year 6 credit interior design is a major studio course that deals with complex multi-layered design challenges, it satisfies the 6 credit hours of specialization requirement. The course focuses on the student’s cumulative knowledge of the various courses studied in the interior design curriculum that should be evident clearly in student problem-solving approaches, of their designs and work presented and with large scale multi-faceted presentational skills. Work formed daily in class and presented should reflect the ability to develop a complete design project from conceptual to technical detailing and specifications. They perform the production of knowledge in their discipline, and manage assignments given to them. The development of design concept should tackle various design methodologies and theories related. Students develop syntheses of disciplined thinking also by engaging with spatial solutions that support the needs of the client and which recognize the qualities of the building and its situation. In this case a study of live project AUK school will be designed fully from A-Z including research, client input in developed research surveys and references to local example analyses. After accumulative final presentations, recordings, that include hand sketches, digital renderings, multi stage posters for all stages, a final walkthrough, technical drawing document and a 35-page thesis produced explaining design thinking processes, development and recordings.

IND204 History of Interior Design I (Prerequisite for this course is IND202)

This course deals with the history of interior design, covering the period from late prehistoric period through the mid-nineteenth century. The primary goal of the course is to explore prevailing design philosophies as well as the relationship of interior design to architecture and the broader social context, including economic and social influences, throughout history.

This course is focused on developing students’ visual vocabulary of interior design, including interior spaces, furniture, architectural details, and decorative arts objects. Students will familiarize themselves with sources and concepts used in interior design history and theory; enhance their critical thinking and writing skills; and develop methods for scholarly research within the field of interior design. Students will also hone their research and writing skills, with specific attention to standards of scholarship within the fields of architectural history, interior design history, design history, and historic preservation.

Students are expected to read a wide array of primary and background texts and to prepare the research presentation. They will also work on the term project at the end of the semester.

IND311 History of Interior Design II (Prerequisite for this course is IND204)

This course studies the evolution of Interior design through the twentieth century. It covers the historic development of design and the built environment in general. The past major design movements will be thoroughly addressed along with the designers and manufacturers who influenced the development of the design industry of interiors, objects and buildings. The eras are arranged chronologically, and analyzed decade-by-decade from the 1820s onward to explore the cultural, social, political, economic, and technological forces in the world at large, and shows how these factors influenced styles and factors of interior design till today. A study of objects demonstrate how design in turn has influenced the everyday life in that period, like, fashion, furniture, ceramics, glassware, lighting, fabrics, electronic equipment, and more.

The student will understand the prevailing design philosophies as well as the relationship of interior design to architecture, Identify and understand the broader social context, including economic and social influences, throughout history and develop their visual vocabulary of interior design, including interior spaces, furniture, architectural details, and decorative arts objects and eras they belong to. Students will familiarize themselves with sources and concepts used in interior design history and theory and enhance their critical thinking, verbal discussions, and their writing skills and develop methods for scholarly research within the field of interior design.

IND314 Lighting for Interior Design (Prerequisites for this course are IND308, IND309 and DES207)

Interior Lighting Design is both science and art. An interior designer understands the intricate details and process of construction, as well as an understanding of light, vision, and how together they define our built environment. Light allows us to see. Light defines what we see. With an understanding of how light works, Interior Designers can extend their knowledge beyond forms and surfaces – they can enter a world of brilliance, glow, shadow, sparkle, and darkness.

Students are expected to read a wide array of primary and background texts and to prepare the research presentation. They will also work on the semester project at the end of the semester. This course will consist of structured lectures and discussions covering various lighting technologies, lighting applications, and current practice standards on natural and electric lighting design. Assignments on self-exploration and discovery of light will challenge students’ artistic side.

A basic understanding of light is explored with a “hands-on” approach in the first assignment, a 3-Dimensional study of how light affects your perception. The exercise consists of fabricating small non-architectural abstract light concepts with light. The student’s individual discovery of new materials and light effects is encouraged. The final assignments will explore a 3-dimensional interior space – the latter a typical architectural lighting design project with client needs, space program and functions, and technical requirements. Students will be able to develop lighting concepts, research fixture products, and to perform simple lighting calculations. Students will be able to read light fixture catalog sheets, produce reflected ceiling plans, and write fixture specification.

IND315 Elective I – Innovative Spaces (Prerequisites for this course are IND201 and IND310)

Innovations are happening in all fields, including designed spaces. How we undertake all our daily activities is, literally, being transformed by technology. How and where we work, how and where we shop and how and where we learn have been impacted by the digital revolution. These changes, in turn, lead to new patterns of behavior, new ways of communicating, and new ways of collaborating and new ways of approaching daily tasks. But the revolution doesn’t stop there. All of this has an effect on physical space – or the absence of it.

After analyzing different trends in different fields, this course will focus on work, retail and learning environments, three main types of interior spaces where change is occurring and that have the greatest potential for innovation.

IND312 Detailing (Prerequisites for this course are IND309 and IND308)

An understanding of spatial relationships is intrinsic to interior design. The other basic requirement is a deep familiarity with architectural drawings—such as floor plans, sections, elevations, detail drawings, and isometric drawings—as these elements truly define a space.
In this advanced course, we will focus on detail drawings. Utilize lessons in scale, line weights, notations, and dimensions. Understand the major form of detail drawings involved in an interior design project – walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors. For each detail, students will be asked to note how different materials come together and are connected to each other. This course represents a unique perspective on the professional side of being an interior designer.

DES206 Visual Communication I (Prerequisites for this course are IND002 and DES205)

This course is based on fundamentals of graphic illustration and Image by using three main programs (adobe Photoshop, Adobe inDesign and Adobe Illustrator. The main aims of this course are to understand basics of graphic presentation and manipulation of images for better quality. Visual communication course is aimed to introduce students to communicate their ideas with a quality of illustrations via computer software. The purpose is to work with many graphic illustrations in pixel and vector forms to make appropriate modifications for better quality presentation.

Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to have learned the following:

Fundamentals of graphic illustration.

Editing images to enhance the quality and attain the desired solution.

Various software of adobe suite (Adobe Clouds).

Understand the difference between pixel and vector based images/ drawing.

Learn to work with difference tools and techniques to finalize project to its completion.

Building up your capacity for working in multiple facets to organize, layout and adjust the project.

IND201 Topics and Theories of Introduction to Interior Design (Prerequisites for this course are DES205 and IND002)

This is a three-credit course which provides students with a fundamental overview of the theories and topics relating to interior design.

This course includes an analysis of design history, philosophy, environmental psychology, sustainability, contemporary practices, and an understanding of human factors.

Students will also be introduced to the science of ergonomics and explore how the human form interacts and engages with objects and space. They will explore the concepts related to UX (user experience) and understand the principles of universal design, and interior design relating to disability. Students will be taught research methodologies, synthesis of knowledge, problem-solving, critical evaluation skills, and Design Thinking.

IND203 Interior Building Systems and International Codes (Prerequisite for this course is IND200

This course provides students with an overview of building systems and the international codes of compliance. Students will gain an understanding of a wide range of construction techniques and how they relate to different built environments. This course also explores the latest international technological developments in construction, such as 3D house printing, prefabrication, pod design and greentech systems. Students will be taught how to identify key interior build elements that require a code of compliance and how to interpret the codes and apply the standards into application. This course provides students with a holistic view of design, construction, and compliance, as a complete unified system.

IND205 FF&E: Textiles for Interior Design (Prerequisites for this course are DES201 and IND200)

This second year 3 credit interior design major course deals with learning the Textiles and Fabrics used in Interior design. It satisfies the 3 credit hours of specialization requirement. The study of different Textiles for Residential and Commercial Interiors, and the most current fiber and fabric information including new fiber technology and nanofibers, the role of the interior designer in selecting textiles. It includes the study of the characteristics, functional applications and specifications of interior textiles, construction methods, and codes/legislation that regulate the use of textiles in interior spaces such as Fabrics for upholstered furniture, windows, walls, and floor coverings. It provides students with all of the technical information, aesthetic fundamentals, and practical knowledge they need to select textiles for “FF&E” that stands for “Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment”, which roughly covers the entire furnishings of hotels.

IND202 Introduction to Kurdish Art: Interiors and Society (Prerequisites for this course are DES205 and IND002)

This course teaches the interlaced relationships between decoration and Space. It illuminates spatial identity through the use of decorative arts and the interwoven spatial influences of pattern, materials, form and the construction of spatial meaning. The course material will cover and deliberate case studies together with analysis in interior design and architecture where craft involvement was used in enhancing living spaces. Students will also be studying Kurdish arts and crafts of various styles and approaches, and the echo of the culture on the art-works. The course structure will lead students to the understanding of the complex ways in which the application of craftsmanship in interiors controls, manipulates, organizes and defines spaces and teaching how to use these relationships as a form of communication in the designs & projects. It also will develop students to recognize features in Kurdish art. It will be a path to create imagination of using cultural materials and symbols in the products. Also, workshops and field trips activities during the course will support materials present in class.

3. Department of Environmental Sciences:

GED115 Physical Geology

Physical geology is the science that investigates the earth and its history. As humans, we all live on an unstable and dynamic planet that is constantly changing. This branch of science is very significant, since virtually all the natural materials our society needs such as hydrocarbons, metals, and building materials are found by geologists. Geology is an exciting profession that typically combines indoor and outdoor work. Students of geology encounter science in its broadest sense because geology incorporates those aspects of astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics that are important to understanding the Earth and its interactions with the atmosphere, the biosphere, and the hydrosphere. The rich history of the earth gives us our only window into the likely impacts of global climate in the future. As a science, Geology is unique in its focus on time, starting from the beginning of the Earth, more than four billion years ago, to the present. Geologists play a leading role in the utilization and management of natural resources, evaluating how natural processes impact all life on Earth, and how humans interact with the Earth. Geologists search the continents and sea floors for the minerals and fuels essential to modern society and look for fresh water used daily by the population.

ENV 200 Introduction to Environmental Science (Prerequisites for this course are GED112 and GED110)

This course introduces students to the basic geophysical processes of the natural environment and their relationships to the activities of human and non-human beings. Primary focus is on the functions and interactions of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere and how they constitute ecosystems and bioregions. We also examine the cultural influence on earth’s complex physical environment and look towards sustainability as a means to reduce our ecological footprint for the benefit of future generations. Through lectures and discussion sessions, and by satisfactorily completing a mid-term and final exam, students will gain an understanding of the aims of environmental science, of earth’s geophysical systems, and the principles of sustainability.

GED114 Biology

This course highlights the basic principles of biology, its history, and biology’s main disciplines with basic descriptions of life properties. The course will tour the cell, its main components and functions, cellular reproduction and the main types of cellular divisions, and patterns and laws of Inheritance. Furthermore, the course also involves the description of the main life molecules and their roles. The basics of modern biology, including protein synthesis and DNA technologies, as well as principles of genetic engineering technologies in our real life and their impact on the environment are also discussed. Evolutionary theory in relation to the origin of life, genetic diversity in time and space will also be covered. The course will investigate how interactions between the evolutionary forces of mutation, recombination, selection, migration and genetic drift drive the patterns and processes of biodiversity at different levels of biological organization. The course consists of two parts, Theoretical and Practical Lectures.